THREE SPHERES
BLESSING
65
OF
One fact, however, which we did not emphasize, must now be given due prominence. It is obvious that if one
nation is to be granted pre-eminence, the others must be subservient. Indeed, in each sphere, one of the
accompaniments of the privilege of adoption is the grant of pre-eminence over other companies in the same sphere.
As regards the earthly sphere we get this pronouncement:
`The nation and the kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted' (Isa.
60:12).
`And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your
vinedressers. But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God' (Isa.
61:5,6).
The following features are inseparable from adoption, as used in the Scriptures.
(1)
The appointing of the heir.
(2)
The dignity of the firstborn.
(3)
The close association of a citizenship.
(4)
A special pre-eminence over other companies in the same sphere.
Let us put this to the test by turning to the Scriptures that speak of the second sphere. We have already given
proof that Galatians 3:28,29, cannot refer to `Israel according to the flesh', but must have in view the company
associated with the New Jerusalem (Gal. 4:26). Nevertheless, although Romans 9 categorically declares that to
Israel according to the flesh pertaineth `the adoption', it is also said of this new company - where there is neither
Jew nor Greek, and where the `flesh' is excluded - `That we might receive the adoption of sons' (Gal. 4:5).
We turn therefore to Hebrews 12, which speaks of the second sphere of blessing, for light upon this question of
adoption. The first part of the chapter treats of that which is common to all children (verses 5-14), and then passes
on to that which relates particularly to the firstborn son; in other words, the adoption.
Intent on proving every statement before proceeding, we acknowledge that the actual word `adoption' does not
occur in Hebrews 12. But Galatians 3 and 4 have made it clear that those who claim `Jerusalem that is above' have
the `adoption', therefore, until Euclid's maxim can be disproved that `Things which are equal to the same thing are
equal to one another', the logical association of Galatians and Hebrews 12 must be acknowledged.
Having made the admission that huiothesia (adoption) is absent from Hebrews 12, we must, with equal justice
and regard for truth, assert that the ideas of birthright and the firstborn are insisted upon, and that the argument
based on the allegorical use of Sinai and Sion (Jerusalem) of Galatians 4:22-31 is introduced in much the same way
in Hebrews 12. It will help if we observe the structure of the passage.
Hebrews 12:15-25
a
A 15.
Looking diligently.
b
Lest any man fall back.
The birthright bartered (prototokia).
B 16,17.
C 18-21.
Ye are not come. Six `ands'. SINAI.
C 22,23.
But ye are come. Seven `ands'. SION.
B 23,24.
The birthright enjoyed (prototokos).
A 25.
a
See.
b
Lest ye refuse.
Esau despised his birthright (prototokia). In the heavenly Jerusalem that birthright is to be enjoyed (firstborn,
prototokos).
Here, therefore, we have the adoption in the second sphere.
We now come to the prerogative of adoption, namely, some form of ascendancy or pre-eminence. We shall not
expect to find nations subservient to those who have this exalted position, at least, not until the New Jerusalem
descends from heaven to earth. In this second sphere we have an innumerable company of angels (Heb. 12:22), and